A proposed large floating commercial oyster operation would be located off this pier belonging to Island Seafood. The oyster fame is so large that it stretches out over a large area of Milford Haven near Gwynn's Island.

A proposed large floating commercial oyster operation would be located off this pier belonging to Island Seafood. The oyster fame is so large that it stretches out over a large area of Milford Haven near Gwynn's Island.

A dispute between a commercial oyster grower and Gwynn’s Island homeowners could come to a head Tuesday as the Virginia Marine Resources Commission is set to consider a permit to set 700 oyster cages afloat in Milford Haven in Mathews County.

The permit by Kevin Wade of J&W Seafood of Deltaville and Island Seafood proposes putting 17 rows of cages over 5-plus acres, beginning about 500 feet from shore.

The cages would be anchored to the water bottom and attached to two floats each, all within a 400-by-600-foot area above Wade’s existing oyster planting ground lease, according to VMRC.

But waterfront residents said Monday they plan to protest the application, citing the sheer size of the operation and numerous potential risks: to boaters and swimmers, to the historic integrity of the site, the viewscape from shore, local water quality from commercial washing operations, the growing tourism industry and the estuarine dolphins that inhabit the haven.

“I’m concerned because of what this is going to do to the whole county,” said resident Morgan Moss. “And what it sets in place will be to open up Pandora’s box for these things to just cover the waters of this area and other areas.”

(Rob Ostermaier/Daily Press)

He said homeowners don’t object to aquaculture, and, in fact, some farm their own oysters, but on a much smaller scale.

“Aquaculture, bring it on,” Moss said. “Give us every oyster you can put in, everywhere. Just don’t do it in such an obnoxious, affrontive kind of way.”

Wade could not be reached for comment Monday afternoon.

Ken Torbett lives next to the proposed project and says a key concern for him are the dolphins that waterfront residents routinely see foraging in the haven off the Chesapeake Bay for menhaden and other prey.

“Aquaculture growth is relatively new and expanding rapidly, so one of the things that NOAA has recommended, based on their studies, is that if you have a migratory pattern with these dolphins, you need to site your project somewhere else,” Torbett said.

He said his research indicates the ropes and cables attached to floating cages could pose an entanglement hazard, and the cages and floats themselves could lead to dolphin drownings.

The permit hearing is one of numerous items on VMRC’s monthly meeting agenda. The meeting is set to begin at 9:30 a.m. on the fourth floor of the VMRC building at 2600 Washington Ave. in downtown Newport News.

Contact Dietrich at 757-247-7892 or tdietrich@dailypress.com. Follow on Twitter at DP_Dietrich